Hadith on Funerals: It is better to stand, but permissible to sit

Ali reported: We saw the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stand for funerals and so we stood, and he would sit and so we sat.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 962

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim

Al-Nawawi said, “The preferred opinion of Al-Mutawalli among our scholars is that standing for a funeral is recommended. This preference is command by way of encouragement, yet seating is clearly permissible.”